The prince immediately recognized the lady who had arrived on horseback. He hurried toward the spot where the horse had stopped. Poonguzhali followed him. The others, hesitating and uncertain, trailed behind at some distance.

The mute queen had already dismounted from her horse. She glanced anxiously at the group approaching from behind, then turned to Poonguzhali and conveyed something in the language of signs.

“Periyamma has seen something wondrous in the forest. She is calling us to come to that place!” Poonguzhali said.

The prince decided at once to go. He asked if the others could accompany them. The mute queen, after a moment’s thought, nodded her head in assent.

As they walked, everyone spoke in wonder about the horse she had ridden. How had this elderly lady come by such a magnificent, high-bred horse from Arabia? No armies had landed in this region recently; no wars had been fought. In that case, how could this horse have come into the possession of this woman?

We have seen a Chola ship run aground and half-buried near the mouth of the Thondaiman river. From there, the coast of Lanka curved and twisted away to the southeast. The sea often carved small and large lagoons into the land. It was from one such bay that the ship Vandiyathevan and the others had seen that morning had emerged and sailed out to sea.

Now, the mute queen led them toward the southeast, plunging into the dense forest. As they went, the prince’s curiosity grew—surely some significant event must have occurred; otherwise, this old woman would not have summoned them so far.

Suddenly, that very event appeared before their eyes!

There was a clearing in the forest. A water body came into view. On its bank lay several human corpses. The stench of death mingled with the dried scent of human blood. Even those seasoned by the experience of many battlefields— Lifeless human bodies and dried blood were not new experiences for these men. Yet, the thought that something extraordinary, mysterious, and terrifying had occurred here stirred both curiosity and revulsion in everyone’s hearts.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that all the bodies lying there belonged to Tamil sailors.

“Hurry! Quickly—see if anyone is still alive!” the prince shouted.

Those who had come with him began to examine each body, one by one.

The mute queen once again gestured to the prince, beckoning him with her hand. She led him a little distance away from where the bodies lay, to the foot of a tree. There, a ghastly figure was sprawled on the ground. Though it was a man, it was hard to believe so at first glance. His body was covered in wounds. Blood from the gashes on his head had streamed down his face, making him look utterly terrifying. Every moment, he seemed to await death, yet upon seeing the prince, a faint sign of life flickered across his face. He tried to open his mouth and speak, but as his